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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 08:55:22 PM |
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      MUSSEL BEACH 
Janet Clayton, DNR Biologist "We've got in the neighborhood of 60 species in the state. The Elk River is probably one of the most diverse rivers in terms of fish, mussels. The species of mussels tend to follow the species of fish." And the biologists follow the mussels. They go from river to river searching for the hard to find animals. Here they are actually seperating the river into grids and search each area. If they find a mussel, they put a flag in the river bed so they can put the animal right back in a good habitat. These biologists will spend two days in the river looking for mussels. In those two days they'll find out about 15 years of mussel activity. Janet Clayton/DNR Biologist "We can come back here in 5 years and find this exact animal. We'll be able to measure its growth." That's important because many of these mussels need perfect conditions to flourish. The one's that like clean, fast-moving water will die if the stream conditions deteriorate. That's why some mussles in West Virginia are endangered. Janet Clayton, DNR Biologist "Historically? Water quality is probably the main thing. When you're talking big river animals-impoundments." People play a big part in the surival of the mussel, too. Even though it's illegal, some folks come to our state and basically steal these animals. "There's a commercial mussel industry where they cultivate pearls. They grind them up and send them to Japan where they put them inside an oyster for 6 to 9 months versus 15 years and get a cultured pearl out of them." Just another reason why these biologists devote their time tracking these amazing animals. The DNR wants to remind you it is illegal for anyone to harvest or collect mussels from West Virginia rivers and streams. If you see anyone removing mussels, contact DNR law enforcement officers. Links to learn more Freshwater Mussels. Pictures of Endangered Mollusks Endangered Freshwater Mussels. The Tubercled-Blossom Pearly Mussel WCHS-TV8 Online brings you the current Fishing Conditions Report updated every week. |
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GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA'S WILDLIFE  
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